The Los Angeles Kings are looking to end their losing streak on Wednesday night as they return home for a game against the St. Louis Blues. Since a big win over the Vegas Golden Knights they have gone 0-3-1, which includes games they should have won like on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.
While the players are focused on winning on the ice, the organization is busy to try and find ways to improve the roster with the NHL Trade Deadline only a few days away. In recent days, activity around the league has certainly picked up and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Kings start to make some trades as well.
They are currently in a good position to make the playoffs but the focus shouldn't be just making the playoffs but advancing. However, that doesn't necessarily mean making a blockbuster trade but rather adding players who are considered "rentals". These are players who have expiring contracts at the end of the season and are brought in to give a team a boost over the next few months.
For the Kings, it might make sense to go this route by making a few trades for rental players as it typically doesn't cost too much in terms of trade packages and there are a few players that would be an immediate boost to their forward position.
3 rentals the Los Angeles Kings could acquire at the NHL Trade Deadline
Kyle Palmieri
The player who checks the most boxes for the Los Angeles Kings in terms of what they need might be right wing Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders. He is 34 years old but still contributing for the Islanders as he has 19 goals and 21 assists in 60 games.
The Islanders are a team that is currently struggling and has lost five out of their last seven games. They will have some big decisions to make and the player who will generate the most interest across the league is Brock Nelson.
If they do trade Nelson, it wouldn't be surprising to see Palmieri follow shortly after and the Kings seem like one of the teams most likely to be interested.
Joel Armia
One player who would have been a good fit for this team was Canadiens center Jake Evans, but he signed a contract extension this week and is no longer an option. However, if Montreal is looking to make a trade, the Kings should call about Joel Armia.
The Canadiens' right wing is in the final year of his four-year contract and is having one of the best seasons of his career with 10 goals and 14 assists through 61 games. He is a big forward at 6'3" and certainly fits the mold of how the Kings have transformed their roster from the summer with the additions of Tanner Jeannot, Warren Foegele and Joel Edmundson.
Jason Zucker
The Buffalo Sabres are set to miss the playoffs once again and should have their sights set on next season. They have a number of players that they could trade, including Alex Tuch or J.J. Peterka but they would require a big trade package that the Los Angeles Kings might not want to give up.
One player that the Kings could call the Sabres about that would be a great option as a rental player is Jason Zucker. The Sabres signed Zucker as a free agent this offseason to a one-year deal and he has been one of the few bright spots for Buffalo with 18 goals, which includes nine power play goals, and 26 assists.
A potential hurdle with a trade for Zucker is that he is currently dealing with an injury that has forced him to miss a few games. The Sabres have not put him on injured reserve, so it doesn't seem that the injury is too serious but it might complicate a trade.